Newspaper Page Text
Stele
MACON, GA.
Thursday, December 10.1857.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
Our thanks are due to Thomas P. Sri bus.
Esq., Senator from this county, for valuable
Legislative documents.
ACADEMY FOR THE BLIND.
A report has been submitted to the Senate
Sy jfr". Stubbs, recommending an appropria
tethirty five thousand dollars for the benefit
Os the above Institution. A similar appropria
tion has passed tbe lloiise thank; to the es
torts of our worthy Representative, Abnbi: M.
Lockett. Esq., Chairman <»f the Committee to
which the subject was referred. Great praise
is due to Messrs. Lockett and Sti bbs for the
interest which they have taken in this philan
thropic measure.
MACON & BRUNSWICK RAILROAD.
The Bill granting State aid to this road is
tnade the special order in the Senate for to-day.
Notwithstanding the defeat of the Omnibus
Bill, we have still great hope that the Legisla
tore will recognize the superior claims of the
Macon and Brunswick Road, and grant it the
aid tor which it petitions and to which it is so
justly entitled.
Our advertising columns contain a great
deal of matter interesting to the general ruder.
We commend a careful reading of the advertise
ment* on the first, third ami fourth pages of
our paper.
LITERARY.
Reform Medical Practice. —We arc indebt
ed to the authors—the "Faculty of the Reform
Medical College of Georgia’’ for the volume
bearing the above title. It is in octavo form,
containing 1130 pages —ami will, no doubt,
furnish entertaining reading to all who are dis
posed to examine the claims of the many con- .
tending systems of Medical Pr.u tice, while it
will certainly become the text-book and »■«</<■
mecuut of all students and practitioners of thi- ■
particular school. The College from which thi
work emanated, is located in this city and in
point, of endowment, npparat it buildings. Ac.,
will compare favorably with any Medical insti
tution in the State. The same remark applies
to its patronage —the classes in attendance being
large, and, we learn, constantly increasing. The
publication of this work is a sufficient proof of
the zeal and fidelity ofthe Faculty -which con
Bists of six Professors, among whom are dis
tributed the several usually taught
in the schools.
We remember to have read of a man, who,
when interrogated as to his opinions about tbe
various modes of death, candidly confessed that
he war not partial tv either. We can say for
ourselves, in a similar spirit, that we have no
peculiar penchant for any of the various sy,
terns of Medicines. We have, therefore, noth
ing to say, pro or eon, as to the practice recom
mended in this book. It is no doubt successful
in many instances ami unsuccessful in more—
which is all that can be said of any of the
*ehools, which have existed from the times <>f|
Galen down to the present. This work, how
ever. deserves a careful ami respectful reading' I
from all who wish to examine the subject of
medicine for thcm.se! vcs. We hope that it may
redound to the honor ami profit of tbe authors.
It is printed by our neighbor, Mr. Ci isby. of;
the “Telegraph”—probably, the largest scion- j
tific work ever printed in the State—and in
|a>int of typography, Ac., leaves nothing to lie
wished for. We congratulate our neigldior on
this specimen of his handiwork hoping that
this is one of many volumes w Inch lie may ush
er into the world.
Oration. M'e have before us, the Address,
delivered by our frien I and fellow-townsinnu,
Col. O. A. Locheane, nt the annual celehra- i
bration, 1857. of the Irish Union Society of
Savannah. This oration abounds in poetic im
agery, classic allusion, ami well sustained flights
of the imagination, which are always easy ami ,
unconstrained. The true spirit <f patriotism j
breathes through every line, ami we are not '
surprised that this glowing sketch of Irish his
tory—this eloquent vindication of a jieople
w hose high spirit h is remained proof against
the oppression of centuries -these bursts of in
dignation against the tyrant ami the <h -poiler
—and these fond eulogiums upon the great
names which Ireland, poor as she is, has given
to enrieh the world—we say, that »<• arc not
surprised that this address, delivered, as it w as.
with the characteristic ardor of t or.. Loen
rank, should have excited the warmest viithu
siastn, and elicited extraordinary applause from
those w ho had the good fortune to hear it.
Rihski.i.'h Magazine. - The lieeember num
ber of this excellent periodical is on our table
—confirming us, more and more, in the high
opinion which we have of its merits ami ini
posing upon us the duty, which is also a pleas
ure, of commending it in the most emphatic ,
terms of which we are capable, not merely to 1
the consideration, but to the ywfronngc. of our
readers. Its contributors are thinkers and
scholars —those who desire to hold converse
with such, will find this magazine, a companion
at once pleasant and instructive—those who
jirefer to look at caricatures upon hoops, or to
read puns musty w ith the age of centuries, had
better stick to Harper’s and the like.
MR HARDEMAN.
We observe from the reports of the Legisla
tive proceedings that Mr. Hardeman, ouo of
the Representatives from this county, took a
leading purt in the discussion on the Omnibus
State Aid Bill. He is said to have made one
of the best speeches of the session. The fol
lowing extract is taken from the correspon
dence of the Savannah Republican :
Mr. Irwin moved to lay the whole matter
on the table.
Mr. Hardeman, of Bibb, hoped the friend
of the measure w ould be allowed to perfect the
bill, by attaching to it such amendments a
would bring to its support many who now op
pose it. Before he sat down however, he
would notice the gentleman from Chatham
who had said that Macon was .supported by
the Central Railroad, when in truth it was in
jured by the enormous freights. The Central
Railroad had a sliding scale. When the river
at Macon w as up,freights were down, and when
the river went down, freights went up. (laugh
ter.) He would like to show how it was that
the Central Road fed ami clothed Macon. H<
could have a barrel of suirar shipped from New
York to Savannah for 50 cents, and from Sa
vannah to Macon it w ould cost him * 1 50, ami
thus they fed and clothed Macon. Again, a
keg of nails cost him 12 1-2 cents from New-
York to Savannah, and from there to Macon
he paid 50 cents, nnd thns Savannah fed and
clothod Macon (much laughter.)
In the motion to lay the whole matter for
the session the yeas were 81 and nays 57.
WARD ON BARTLETT.
Mu. Editor: —Some toad-eater sends to the
Augusta Chronicle and Sentinel the following
sample of Col. Ward’s insolence toward the
opponents of Bank corruption. Read it, and
then admire the Senator’s- ignorance or pre
sumption '.
"I rccret that I have not time now to report
the coy nt and finished argument of the Sena
tor from Chatham. 1 will try to give it some
lime next week. Hi* premises were the broad
base of a pyramid, ami his deductions its un
broken and polished column. He was particu
larly severe upon those Senators who were un
willing to take the oath ofthe President ami
Director.- us to the condition of our banks. A
committee, said he. has been asked for to look
into the vaults of the banks, and one Senator
I Mr. Bartlett of Jasper) had gone so far as to
say that he wanted other evidence than the
oath of bank officers; and that Senator has
read; upon this floor the debit for the credit
side of the bank reports. \\ by, said lie, if this
be a sample of the Senator's knowledge of
banks, he w ould, if he w ere to get into one,
never find his way out.
"Who. .Senators, are your Bank Pre-identsl
Men w hom Georgia has honored and delighted
to honor -men to w hose care the Legislature
has seen fit to confide these institutions —men
whose fame is as fair, and honor as untarnished
ns that of the Senators who seek to dishonor
them. We i•• gretted the a-smilt. not so much
on account of' the assailed, as on account of the
assailants.
1 hope Senator Bartlett will humbly request
i the Hon. Senator from Yamacraw, to pointout
ions benighted crackers the Statute that re
l quires "the Legislature to confide these institu
tions to the care” of anybody ? We crackers
have been under the delusion that the stock- 1
holders ami directors alone attended to that '
matter. But it is wicked heresy, if not "flat I
jwpery" to doubt the immaculate purity of
bank officers, is it. friend Ward? Why. John,
von arc a reckless fellow to talk thus before
lawyers! If you had a proper regard for your
reputation, before y on commenced that talk, you
would have requested the man in the chair to
clear the chamber of lawyers, while you gave ,
the crackers lessons in bank veracity. Or did j
you trust to the known generosity of the bar, I
that they would forbear to expose you—that
they w ould not rise and quote cases, in their ,
experience and practice in court, fully justify
ing Senator Bartlett's distrust of bank officers ? j
How w ould you have blushed if Bartlett, when I
you -at dow'n thus complacently satisfied, had
risen, with the 1 Sth Volume Georgia Reports ;
in his hand, and had made no other reply but j
to read to the Senate from that book, page 411,
the case of Ann I'. McDougald, Ailin'x, vs. S. ■
.1. Ihlaniy, Adm'r.— wherein it appears, and
wherein the Supreme Court say, that a presi
dent and five directors returned to the Govern
or. and all sieore to that return, that there was
in the vault of a certain bank, *2sn.mai inspe- j
eie. as required by law. when in fact there was
not, nor ever had been then and there one dol- !
lar!! Ami yet, friend John, every one of j
those six were as nice men as you have in your
catalogue of bank presidents. Yamacraw lias
never produced a man, since the Indians left
there, who has stood higher in this State for |
honor and veracity, than that unhappy Presi
dent. He is now dead, but all who knew him
will justify me in saying, that no president of I
any bank ever lived in Georgia, of higher cha
racter; and you know, and we all know, that
he is but one of many instances, throughout
the Union constantly occurring, of the power
of the bankingsvstem to corrupt ami ruin the
1 o t
souls of men. This would be enough, if there
were not a host of other reasons, to damn the
s\ >tetn fn the c\ vs of al! honest men. U e con
stantly see both religion and honor failing to
preserve men, when they get into a bank, and
get into a straight for money, or a hurry to
get rich.
But every one who lias lived in the neigh
borhood of fraudulent bunks knows tjjat the
officer* are in the constant habit of using one
lot of specie or bills of exchange to answer for
several banks to twwr Z/y, in making their re- .
turns. It is not a month since I heard a gen- !
tieman of very high standing, and who lias
been Governor of a neighboring State, say that
when he was one of the Directors in a bank in
Hamburgh, S. C., some years ago, it was the
practice of the banks in Augusta to borrow
their specie to swear by—that the Bank of
Hamburgh would give them specie certificates,
which were returned to the Bank, after swear-
ing to their returns.
But this is not all the corruption. The mean
tyranny of the English Stuarts did not exceed
that of Banks, in favoring friends, and making
foes f.-vl ther vengeance. For instance : —A
friend of the w riter once applied to liorrow
five hundred dollars of a bank that was loan
ing on good paper. He had four endorsers,
w-orth, in the aggregate, a half a million. The
w riter was one of the endorsers. Tlie note
was rejected, and the impudent, reason given
by the President to the maker of tbe note, w as
that Col. B.’s name was on the note —that no
paper could pass w ith that name, because he
had charged them, in a speech to the jury in
court, with fraudulent conduct, in getting pos
session of the as>cts of a broken bank, and
thereby defrauding the bill-holders. They are
not all as bold as that bank, but they mark ev
ery one w ho does not worship the golden calf,
and as occasion offers, they put on the thumb
screw s ; and the danger is. that by this means,
these pow erful and unscrupulous corporations
will soon control the liberty and destiny of
this country, for but few young men starting in
life, with high ambition, have the courage to
brave and rebuke such a power. Most men
would prefer to conciliate their aid and favor,
by shouting “Great is Diana ofthe Ephesians,”
like the Senator from Chatham, and like the
old silversmith, who said. “Sirs, ye know that
by this craft we have our wealth'' But docs
it heroine the advoc ates of the banks to use
such ’>» ferity” m»t to say insolence, toward
those who oppose them ? Who are their cli
ents? Doubtless some of them are hon
est and honorable men, But w hat have they
been guilty of, that the people arc called upon
to indulge them, and must be thus denounced,
if they deny that the banks merit any indul
gence ? Let the Statutes answer—“ Every in
solvency of a chartered bank, or refusal or
failure to redeem itebilb, on demand, either
with specie or current bills passing at par valve,
shall Ik* deemed fraudulent, and tin 1 president
anti direetorn may be severally indicted for a
misdemeanor, and ou conviction, shall be* pun
ished by imprisonment, and lain'- in the peni
tentiary tor any time nut less tha.i one year,
nor longer than ten years.’’—Cobb, 797. Pray
did Senator Bartlett go beyond that, in his in
xiuuatloim? that the “polished column” felt
himself thus called upon to unbend, and be
‘"particularly aerere” upon all anti-bank men?
I he political death that has heretofore aw aited
many g<x»d men in this State, because of their
connection with, or advocacy of, rotten banks,
in times gone by, ought to be a caution to the
same class at the present time, not to be “par
ticularly severe" upon such as presume to ex
presß their doubts as to bank officers being
saints. Finally, Mr. President, don’t get mad,
and be “particularly severe" on me, for 1 have
made no iiadn nations against bank officers, ami
I am willing, at any time, to give you a certifi
cate, that 1 believe them to be, in the aggre
-1 gate, as respectable as
ROBERT SCHUYLER.
[For the State Press.)
Messrs. Editors:—As a subscriber, hav
ing received and read your first ••number"
with interest, and more so recently since
( the contributions published through its col
umns over the signature of Calhoun ami others,
-bowing the injustice already done, and the ill
effects likely to accrue, to our staple produc
' tion*. Cotton, Rice, and our other great ex
porting products unencumbered and unfettered
1 by Bank combinations, ami their dependants
with reasonable industry and economy, would
! not only make us independent but rich.
It is not strange to the writer, a Georgian,
upwards of three-score years, there should la*
I gentlemen in the neighborhood of Macon, and
| elsewhere, who object to your strictures on
i Banking. From the U. S. Bank to the present
! pct Banks of Georgia, they must interpose in
i directly, if not directly, in what they would
I have us believe their facilities and aid in com
merce. Tlie Lord save us from such facilities
and aid, as discounts on fifteen or thirty days’
bills, drawn upon cotton ami rice, stored or
. shipped with the right commission house, and
' forwarded by the preferred line and place to j
meet the bill ami charges to the day, will in ;
most instances use up the bonus and customer.
Thus! imagine the Banks*appetites are craving •
like dependant customers who now, like them
selves, arc in a state of suspension. It cannot I
escape common observation, how alarmingly
obsequious ami insinuating the Banks have be- i
come, to obtain from the present Legislature i
all they want, probably more than is needed, I
and positively more than they are entitled to •
by merit or moderate honesty, as I shall attempt
to prove, if the following interrogatories be
truthfully answered:
Ist. To the Presidents, Cashiers and Direc
tors ofthe Banks of Savannah and Augusta :
In what Bank and in what capacity are you
acting' How lung have yon thus acted if State
the management and operations of the Bank
for a term of years? Have the dividends semi
annually been declared and paid the stockhold
ers above 7 percent per annum? Have not;
some been as high as 16 per cent per annum r
(Refer to the reports.) Was not the stock worth
a premium ? Has it not been the practice to <
purchase Southern notes ami the like in New
York at a higher rate of interest than 7 per •
cent per annum? Since the Ist of April last to
September have the Banks purchased a much
larger amount of notes at heavier discount, say
if not as much as 25 or 35 per cent per annum
on 60 and 90 days’ time to mature in ? Had i
the funds of the Banks not have been thus used 1
since April last, but have l>een used at home in '
legitimate Banking business, as contemplated in
the charter. might not the Bank* havegonoon in
good faith as formerly ? Would not the profit*
reported as paid stockholders for NoG have en
abled the Bank* to pay in good faith as hereto
fore? Can you account tor the “Middle Bank
-of Georgia” ami the “ Bank of Columbus" pay-
ing specie for their notes in good faith, only
j chnrter*«d tu <» yvnrs skut**, und lutving u inir <-ir
filiation out? Please make known the true
situation of your Banks. AH cannot believe
with Ex-Governor Johnson and your Senators
and Reprvsi'iitativcs, who have such implied
confidence, that if relief be granted all w ill be
right.
2nd. To tlio> • introducing bills for the relief
of Banks: How did you know the Banks
wanted and merited relief? Have yon had
much to do w ith Banks, or have you much use
for making favorable impressions on the Direc
tors. &c. ? The Senator from Richmond will
please answer if he is acquainted w ith those
poor widows and orphans represented as own
ing stock in tlie Augusta Banks, if so, please
name them and the number of their shares,
who are w ithout other means: also the wid
ows. orphans and gentlemen ow ning most Bank
stock —say w here they live—if in fine houses,
with Brussel/carpets on the floors; if any give
and frequent “Parties” costing SSOO ? Are they
in the habit yearly of going North or to fashion
able places of resort? Arc the stockholders all
Georgians, who assist the poor widow's and or
phans alluded to in your reported speech (for
the Banks) in the Senate?
PLANTER.
8188 COUNTY DEMOCRATIC MEETING.
The Democratic Party of Bibb County hav
ing assembled at the Court House in obedience
I to a call from the Executive Committee:
On motion, J. A. Nisbet, Esq., was appoint
1 cd Chairman and Z. 'l'. Conner, requested to
’ act as Secretary.
The Chairman explained the object of the
! meeting to be “to take into consideration the
manner of nominating candidates for the Coun
ty Offices,” and announced the meeting ready
for business—w hereupon E. A. Wileox. Esq.,
moved to proceed to a nomination instanter.
Mr. Minshvw moved an adjournment of the
meeting until the 15th inst., w hich being re
jected, the motion of Mr. Wilcox was carried.
T. W. Brantly was unanimously nominated
for Sheriff. The names of A. B. Ross and Win.
M. Riley were then put in nomination for Clerk
Sujicrior Court, and Mr. Riley withdrawing his
name. Mr. A. B. Ross was nominated by ac
clamation. Win. Bone having no opposition
was also nominated by acclamation for Tax
Collector.
The meeting then proceeded to ballot for the
remaining officers which resulted as follows,
! viz.:
John P. M< Mam s. Clerk Inferior Court.
Peter M. Ci rry. Tax Receiver.
Wm. Wood, County Surveyor.
L. Dow Wright, Coroner.
On motion the meeting adjourned.
J. A. NISBET, Chairman.
Z. T. Conner, Secretary.
December sth, 1857.
A SAD CASUALITY.
Mrs. Elizabeth Keller, w ife of Mr. Paul Kel
ler who lives about ten miles from this city,
shot herself on Sunday morning.
It ap|K-ars that Mr. Keller leaded his gun on
the pr ov ious night for the purpose of killing a
t beef on Monday morning, when Mrs. Keller.
I who has been laboring under partial insanity
, for some time past, but w ithout exciting any
! suspicion, up to the fatal moment, taking :«l
--! vantage of her husband’s absence, ordered the
; servant out, and taking the gun she (ii>cb:irged
; the contents us one barrel into her left breast,
j causing almost instant death.— Sarannah (leor
[ yiaa.
IReported for the ‘‘State Press.”]
GEORG I 1 LEGISLATURE.
Milledgeville, Dec. 7th, 1857.
IN SENATE.—bills passed.
To pointout the mode and manner of obtain
ing judgments un Declarations in ruses of at
tachments in the Superior ami Interior Courts
of this State and to give said judgments Iren
as in cases at common law.
i To point out the mode of payment of fees of
the Solicitor General of the Eastern Judicial
District of Georgia in Chatham county.
To amend the act in relation to allowing Tax
collectors an insolvent list by the Grand Jurors
| of the several counties of this State, and to
amend the various Jaws for the collection <»f
j 'faxes. To incorporate the American Atlantic
Screw Steamship Company.
IN HOUSE.
Mr. Westmoreland moved to reconsider so
much of the Journal of Saturday as relates to
the action ofthe House, in laying the bill ami
amendment, relative to loaning “State aid" to
certain Railroads on the table for the balance
of the session, which motion was lost by yeas
58, nays 79.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr. Kenan—To authorize the Justices vs the
Inferior Court of Baldwin county, to issue
bonds for the purpose of erecting a bridge,
across the Oconee River, or for the payment
of Stock in a corporate Company for that pur
pose.
Mr. Neal—For the relief of B. I’. Peace, who
lost his leg at the Battle oi Hickory Point in
Kansas.
Mr. Cook—To aid the citizens of Georgia in
the construction of Railroads in this State on
; certain conditions.
Mr. Barrett —To appropriate money for the
support of the Government for the political
year 1858 and for other purposes.
Mr. Lewis of Hancock—To protect the pro
perty of the public, and public charitable Insti
tutions.
Mr. Batts.—To prohibit, so far as relates to
the county of Lee, the traffic and sale of the
Marksand Brands.
Mr. Fannin—To prescribe the manner in
which service may be perfected on Executors
ami Administrators under the circumstances
therein mentioned.
Mr. Owens—To incorporate the Darien ami
Walthourville Railroads.
Mr. Luffman—To require the payment of
“Tax fees" in certain cases.
Mr. Holden—For the relief and future se
curity' and protection of the value of Slave
property in Taliaferro county, against the per
nicious iufiuencc as exerted over that species
of property by the free negroes in said county.
Mr. Sherman—To extend the ( barter of the ,
Barnesville and Thomaston Railroad.
M. Smith of Towns—To appropriate money
for the support of Government for the political
year 1858.
BILLS PASSED.
To prohibit persons in the county of Eman
uel from poisoning the water courses in said
county with Buck eye, and other poisonous
substances for the purpose of catching fish, and
thereby destroying cattle and other >tock.
To incorporate the “Fulton, Mining, Smelt
ing and Manufacturing Company.”
To prevent non-residents from hunting, fish
ing, Arc., in the State of Georgia.
Additional to former acts relating to Glynn
! county Academy.
To incorporate the Putnam Rilles and for
(he relief of Sarah Grover of the county of
Bryan.
i:esoli tion offered.
Mr. McWhorter —That from and after the
9th inst., no new matter shall be introduced
into this Branch ofthe Gemral Assembly.
Mr. Bigham—Relative to a change in the
Testimony required of Meritorious applicants
for B< unty Land.
NEW COUNTY.
Mr. Taylor presented a Bill to organize a
new county from the counties of Dooly and
Worth to be called “Shields,” and attach the
same to a Judicial, Congressional and Military
District. We learn that the county proposed
to be formed, embraces an area of about thirty
square miles, and a voting population ofthe
rise of four hundred; the Territory to he inclu
is heavily timbered and well w atcied, and in
cludes some ofthe finest pine and Hammock
land in South-Western Georgia; on the whole
the Bill is every way meritorious and if it pass
es, it will make one ofthe best counties in the
Slate.
FINANCE.
Tbe report of the Committee on Finance
show the receipts in the Treasury, from all
sources, since the close of the fiscal year LSS6,
up to the 20th October, 1857. inclusive of the
amount in the Treasury at the first mentioned
date, to be f‘J49,fil6 06.
And the disbursement therefrom.
during the same period, to he 511.789 90.
Showing a balance in the Treasury
Oct. 20th, 1857, of 437.826 16.
This amount has been increased by
payments in the Treasury, up to
the 24th Nov., 1857, of 4(1,113 57.
Making the sum total, $473,939 73.
WESTERN AND ATLANTIC RAILROAD.
J am sorry that iny engagements forbid a
more extended notice of this report. I will
however, refer to one item, and dose. 1 allu
lude to the net earnings of the Western & At
lantic Railroad, which is <ct down at SIOB,-
i 500. 1 allude to this with mure mortification
i than pleasure, for it does seem to me, and 1
i think it ought to appear to every reasonable
mind, that this amount is a pitiful —a worse
than pitiful, showing for this great work to
make. 1 must confess, for one, that I am at a
loss to conjecture how it is, that the “La
grange,” the “Macon and Western” and the
“Georgia” roads pay such enormous dividends,
while this great feeder falls far short of a rea
sonable percent. During the past canvass, and
indeed for years, there has been considerable
tmoke and in the ctnnp. and
in the midst of so much smoke, there is always
to be found a kindling of hot coals among the
embers —charges of fraud and corruption in its
mismanagenient have again and again been re
peated. If these charges are correct, it is time
the day of reckoning should be at hand, and in
my judgment, if Governor Brown don’t see to
the reckoning, he is not the Governor Brown
that wc, or the people of Georgia take him to
be. In a future number, I may again take oc
casion to speak of the contemptible manner in
which it is said the road is managed.
TEMPLE.
IN HOUSE.
Mu i EDGEvn i e, Dec. Bth 1857.
BILS PASSED.
To enlarge the powers of juries at Common
Law.
Relative to decisions by the Supreme Court.
Tliis bill provides that no decision of the Su
preme Court tlndl be reversed, unless by con
currence of all the Judges.
To amend an act allowing executors, adminis
trators and guardians to resign their trusts in
certain cases.
To allow persons to prove accounts without
producing tin ir books.
To remove trials in Justice Courts from one
district to another.
I To amend an act exempting certain proper
:ty from levy and sale. This amendment ex
empts one farm horse or mule from sale.
A resolution appointing a committee to cx-
I amine a manual for ordinaries&e., prepared by
W. M. Reese of Wilkes county. R’ the com
mittee approve the Kxcntivc is authorized to
purchase 500 copies.
IN SENATE.
A bill was introduced by Mr. Jossey to crant
certain privileges to the Griffin Light Guards
iin the City of Griffin; and one was passed to
incorporate a Rank in the City of Atlanta to
be called the "City Bank of Atlanta.”
nii us PASSED.
To incorporate the “Macon Insurance and
Trust Company.”
IN HOI’SE.
Mii.i.eimievii.i.e, Dec. Stli 1857,
1111.1. S PASSED.
To lay out and organize a new county from
1 tlie conntiesof Laurens, Washington and Eman
uel.
To lay out and organize a new county from
the counties of Floyd and Polk.
To incorporate a Bank in the citv of Mari
, etta.
A message was received from tlie Governor,
in response to n call in relation to the claims of
! citizens of this State in their own right, and
for services rendered by their fathers during
the Revolution, as well as for services in tlie
late war witli Great Britain, and in other va
rious Indian Wars. In which it is shown that
Georgia Ims claims upon tlie U. S. for monies
; advanced, daring those wars as well as for
property destroyed. The pay rolls and other
files show the following facts :
From I7UO to 1800 these rolls show
payments, amounting to $31,000 00
I From 1800 to 1814 1,201 oo
" 1814 " 1817 about 12.1(00 00
The last claim is due to Lieut. Col. Adam's
command, who served in the expedition against
the “Oakfnskee Indians, ami tlie soldiers serv
ing in that expedition will be entitled to Boun
ty laimls, so soon as the I’nited States reim
burses the State of Georgia.
From 1827 to IS4O. payments were made by
Georgia amounting to $33,000.
in addition, it is alledged that the command
of Maj. Gen'l John Clark, ordered to Savan
nah in 1815. as well as many private citizens,
' arc entitled to receive from theU. S. Land War
j rants on account. ( of Military service. The
attention ot the Legislature is directed to the
I fact, that Georgia lias long since parted w itli
evidence of payment made by her, and of the
service of part of her citizens, and urges the
importance of a remedy to obviate a difficulty
which Ims always presented itsef in tlie prose
cution of these claims against the I’nited
States, both for tlie benefit of the State, and
individuals* The message at large is a buM
m»- like doi uineiit. and worthy of its author.
STATE AID.
It was my desire in this communication to
review the able report of the committee on
Internal fmprovementss, on the subject of State
: aid to Rail Roads. But the Bill, and with it.
the future prospects of Georgia for the next
two years, has been consigned to the narrow
cell of oblivion, while "monopoly” with all
its tyranny and oppression reigns triumphant
over the State and people. The powers ofthe
Central and Georgia Rail Roads have seized
' upon tlie Legislature, and tlieif influence is felt
. in the distant nooks and corners of the State.
The storm of oppression has gatlieTcd. Tlie
! wild winds are lowering, and in a few short
years this mighty Juggernaut of Monopoly,
will oversweep its bounds and gush in wild ami
distractive torrents over the land.
TEMPLE.
FROM THE CAPITAL.
Milledgeville, Dec. 8 1857.
Messes. Editoks:—Your readers are doubt
less aware that one of the most important
measures brought before either branch of tlie
Legislature this Session, was defeated in tlie
House last Saturday.
I allude to the Bill granting the aid of the
State to certain railroads.
It was ably advocated by Messrs. Lew is of
Hancock, Hardenien and Underwood. Tlie op
position was niainiy from tlie line of the Cen
tral and Georgia Railroads, and sections under
i the influence and control of Savannali and Au-
I gusta.
In fact, Mr. Gordon agreed that it was un
■ just for the State to aid any project, which was
destined to compete witli the above roads,
and that Macon was fostcre-d and fed by Sa
{ vannnli!
He neglected to give the bill of fare, which
• Mr. Hardeman gave for hini-nnjch to the edifi
cation and amusement of the House. I’liu
; wonder is, that the good people of your tow n
have not starved on such feeding long ago.
The latter gentleman proved that the Savan
nah Road was a monopoly, which charged op
pressive rates of freight, eke., and that the peo
ple, in the end. had to pay for it. He wished
tlie State to lend its aid, in order that they
might lie relieved of tliis oppression.
Gov. Brown lias created a little sensation
among some of tlie members, by returning to
the House, and refusing to sanction, joint reso
lutions requesting him to pardon two women,
now in the penitentiary, convicted of man
slaughter and riot. He politely tells them that
they would be as well employed in tlie consid
eration of such matters as tlie Constitution lias
confided to them, ami gently hints that if they
i will attend to their business, lie will try to at
tend to his. It must be tliis thrust that cuts,
for up to tliis time, the action ofthe Legisla
ture has been of a decidedly negative charac
ter. They have done that which they ought
not to have done, and have left undone tlmt
which they ought to have done. They have
defeated a measure that would have been of
immense benefit to tlie people of the State,
and have kept them in suspense as to what
protection they were to have in future from
the swindling banks. It is doubtful whether
tliis suspense will be relieved during the Ses
sion. But I have strayed too far from the
Governor’s Alcssgge.
After readin* it carefully, it is my opinion
that tlie view it takes of tlie pardoning power
i is correct.
It argues that it would be best, in most ca
ses, to let these convictions remain where tlie
courts and juries left them. "Let it be re
membered (says tlie Governor) Unit tlie mercy
to the criminal which turns loose every outlaw
1 who applies, is not tlmt mercy to tlie commu
nity which protects its interest, prevents the
commission of crime, and preserves our land ;
from the stain of innocent blood.” He thinks ;
it would be very expensive for the Legislature
to take tbe time and trouble necessary to as
certain the evidence for them to determine |
what criminals were deserving of mercy. 'I he ;
Constitution litis assigned tlie duty of tliis in
vestigation to him, and lie would respectfully
■ suggest tlmt each Department sliould be eon- .
tent to confine itself within the sphere of ac-I
I tion assigned it.
Now, while we believe that woman is tlie I
. greatest institution in tliis world, and tlmt a j
majority of the angels in Heaven belong to the
feminine gender—while we acknowledge that ;
a lovely, beautiful, innocent female is tlie great- ;
est of God's blessings to us poor mortals given, .
still it is our opinion that when they are guilty ;
of crime, punishment sliould be intiieted upon .
them as severe as that which the rougher por- !
tion of humanity have to suffer, lor it is more !
reprehensible in them. It is not expected of
’ us to be as innocent ns lambs, and gentle as
i doves. It is expected of them to soften our
I nature, ami not lie carving us up, and burning
. our houses.
Mr. Smith, of Towns, Chairman of the joint
’ Committee on the Penitentiary, Ims dr: wn up
a long and interesting report, reeonitm tiding
the removal of that institution to Stone Moun
tain.
In the language of the report, it is proposed
to make the convicts “carve out their own dark
and gloomy cells.”
It shows that most of the material used in
the Penitentiary can be bought for about half
the price which is paid for it here —that pro- ,
visions are a great deal cheaper—so that we
may reasonably expect it to be a source of rev
enue, instead of an average expense to the State
of SII,OOO annually.
It has been located here for forty*one years, '
ami now the walls begin to crumble, and it be
comes necessary to rebuild it somewhere. The
Senate refused tliis morning to pass the bill
providing for its removal, by a vote of 46 to
54. It is to be hoped that they will reconsider
the subject.
The Senate having parsed a resolution to ad
journ on the22d, it was taken up in the House,
when Mr. Underwood moved that the Legisla
ture should take a recess from that day until
the first Wednesday in next November, as a
substitute.
As some persons seem to think that this ,
body has no right to convene again without an
election, it was thought that some precaution
| was needed, to keep the outu from coming in,
| and the from going out. The substitute
was adopted. 1 must now come to a close, for
••tempu' fugit.” MAC.
Milledgeville, Dec sth, 1857.
For the last three days, the House have been
( engaged in the discussion of the Report and
i Bill made and recommended by the Internal
I Improvement Committee, granting State aid to
the Macon Ar Brunswick Road, Georgia A: Air
Line Road, and Elijay Roa I.
The question has brought out some of the
bc't speaking talent of this branch.
Hon. .foiiN \\. 11. I NDEiiWuoD, the Speaker
. of the House, opened the discu.s>’u»n in a sjM-vch
of great power and thorough research, in favor
I of the measure.
He appears to be about forty-two } cars of
! age, tine commanding person, dark blue eyes,
dark hair, and a fare indicative of intelligence
; and good humor. He is the leading man in the
i House from the Northern S Action of the State,
and having, without any legislative experience,
been promoted to the Speakership, has proven,
i to the admiration of his friends, a prompt and
ian able presiding officer. As a lawyer, at the
I bar, 1 learn he ranks high, and his ability as
such, with his great quickness of mind, has
enabled him rapidly to master the parliament
ary law. and keep in proper order the body
over which he presides.
I prophesy for him, in the future history of
Georgia, a prominent place among her states- <
men.
Mr. Lewis, of Hancm k, was the next friend
who advocated, in an elaborate speech, the pas
sage of the Bill.
The legislative career of this gentleman has
made him well known to the people of the
; State.
| Representing a constituency noted for their
intelligence and refinement, I cannot wonder
that his whole legislative career exhibits a jus- '
tice and enlightened liberality toward every
every section that commands the co idenee of
friends and the respect of political oppo ents.
Educated at our State University, from there
he was called into political station as one of
the Secretaries of Governor Gilmer; thence
! on the hustings as a candidate for Congress
against the renoifnc/l Iteprwiitfif ire of the Hth\
1 thence as a member of the House, for a scries
of years, from Hancock county, lie lias exhib
' ited a bearing and patriotism worthy of the
people who elect him. lie is about forty years
of age, dark hair, grey eyes, of moderate height. I
, his whole physique representing him to be
what he is—a gentleman in every sense.
II is style of oratory is peculiar—discursive,
1 and, at times, vagrant—yet, at other, close,
logical, impassioned—he speaks in short sen
tences. forcing home his conclusions will,
i sledge-hammer blows, riveting conviction upon
the mind—sometimes erratic in his views, but
always guided by a sincere desire, 1 have no
; doubt, to crown the State with ble.'-ings, and
1 advaneejier interest, moral, politeal and men
tal. The producing class—the cause of popu-
I lar as well as University education, have ever
found in him an enlightened and faitldid advo- 1
i cate.
A. IL Kenan, of Baldwin, next followed, as
I one who opposed the passage of the Bill.
His person is so well known, it were useless
ito describe it. His, I regard, as one of the
i ablest minds in tlie House.
His style of speaking is bold, commanding
‘ and controlling in its influence. No member
wields more influence upon the floor. His
i speech and opposition contributed greatly to
; the defeat of the measure.
Geo. A. Gordon, Esq., of Chatham, made
the concluding speech,with Mr. Milledge,to the
Bill, and is, I presume, one of the youngest
members in the House. Gordon came to the
House with an enviable reputation. lam gra
tified to know that he has not only sustained, .
but increased it.
A slender person, dark skin, raven hair, with
a glowing black eye, distinguish his person.
His voice is his greatest draw back, lack- ’
ing, as it does, volume and strength.
As Chairman of the Committee on Banks,he
has held and filled an important space in the
public eye, during the Session. His style of
oratory is lucid and argumentative, rarely at
tempting an appeal to the passions, or to deck
his subject with the gaudy trappings of the
I imagination. He speaks with a sincere desire
! to convince, and, as is evident in every line and
movement, with a conx-ientious conviction of
the truth and justice of his cause. Hailing
from a commercial city, his course on the Bank
question was anticipated, and yet none do him
the injustice to believe lie is wilfully in error.
His maimers are eminently engaging, and no
members are more popular or respected on the
floor, than those who represent Chatham.
RALEIGH.
From the Savannah Republican.
SYNOPSIS OF THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE-
Washington, Dec. B.—The Message of the
President of the United States was read in both
brain lies of Congress to-day.
The President states that the financial histv-
I ry of this country for the last forty years, con
sists of extravagant expansions in business, fol
lowed by ruinous contractions. He has deter
mined that while no useful government works,
already in progress, shall be suspended, new
works* not already commenced, will bo post
' polled, if it can be done without injury to the
country. Those works necessary for defence,
'•hall proceed as though there had been no fi
nancial crisis.
lie recommens the passage of a uniform
bankrupt law. applicable to all bank institu
tions throughout the United States.
Our relations with foreign governments are,
upon the whole, in a satisfactory condition, but
it h:i< been our mi>fortune almost always to
have some irritating if not dangerous outstand
ing question with (ireat Britain.
The President discusses the Central Ameri
can question, and objects to the interpretation
given by England to the Clayton Bulwvr Trea
ty. Bethinks, as this Treaty is understood in
diflerent senses by the Governments of the con
tracting parties, that the wisest course would
be to annul it by mutual consent, and com
mence anew.
Overtures f(»r adjustment have recently been
I made by the British Government, in a friendly
spirit, which the President cordially recipro
cates. Unit the renewed ciforts will result in
a successful adjustment ofthe differences, the
President is not prepared to express an opinion.
With all governments, with the exception of
Spain, our relations are peaceful. < hitrages on
our flag remain unacknowledged and mire
dressed ; and the President s purpose is to send
out a new Minister with special instructions to
treat on all (|Ucstions now pending l>etw<.«ii the
two governments, and with the determination
to have them speedily and amicably adjusted.
In relation to China, he says, while our min
ister Iras been instructed to occupy a neutral
]x>sition at Canton, he w ill cordially co-operate
with the British and French ministers in ail
peaceful measures to secure by treaty stipula
tions all just concessions to commerce, and
w hich China cannot be permitted to w ithhold.
Our diflicnlties w ith New Granada are l»e
--lieved to be in a lair train of settlement, and in
• a mannerjiist and honorable to both parties.
The Isthmus of Central America, including
that of Panaimu is the great highway between
the Atlantic and Pacific, over which a largo
portion ofthe conimcr c ot the I’nited States
is destined to pass. The United States are
more deeply interested than any other nation,
in preserving the freedom and security of all
coiiimuni’ics across this 1-thmus. The I’resi
de nt, therefore, recommends the pftssagu of an
act authorizing him in case of necessity to em
ploy the land and naval tones of the country
to cany into effect t hi-guarantee of neutrality.
11 also recommends similar legislation for the
st ciirit v of any other route across the Isthmus
in which we may acquire an interest by treaty.
The President condemns all lawless expedi
tions i. i <1 . Gt a.riii -i the independent Repub
lic on thi> Continent, and says there is nothing
!•( U’T cah ilal l J lo rd our steady progress
or i iipai;* oar ( hara< ter as a nation, than the
toil ; ion of such enterprises in violation of
ihvla\. lie con u nds the w hole subject to
the serie; " attention of Congress, and rcccoin
mends the adoption (»i’si:ch measures as will be
elf Hi.d ia rest rain in _ oir citizens from coiiimi:-
ting such outrNg-.s,
ThKaiis.o t on.*!’;!utional Convention were
not bound, by any terms in the Kaiisas-N(-
braska act. to submit any other portion of thu
( oa>tilutiou to an election, except that w hich
relates to the donicsti( institution of Slavery.
The election will he held under legitimate au
thority, and if any portion ot the inhahitairt s
refuse to vote, a lair opportunity to do so hat
ing been presented, this w ill be their own vol
untary act, and they alone will be responsible
for the consequences.
As to I tali, the President says this is the
first rebellion which has existed in uur Territo
ri<and humanity itself requires that it should
be put down in such a manner that it shall l»e
the last. In order to do this, it is necessary to
rai-'C four additional regiments.
The President recommends the establish
ment of a Territorial Government fur Arazona
—commends to the favorable consideration of
Coiigrc". the subject of a Pacific Railroad—
calls special attention to the recommendation
of the Secretary ofthe Navy, tor the construe
i tion of ten small steamers.
The above are tlie leading points of the Mes
sage. In conclusion, he says he has deliberate
ly determined to approve no bill which he has
I not examined, and therefore recommends to
■ both Houses to allow him sufficient time pre
‘ vious to their adjournment.
THE MAIN TRUNK.
We publish this morning, says the Savannah
News, the hill recently passed by the Legisla
ture. by which the subscription of $1,000,009
by the State to this important work is secured.
Noticing the arrangement between the Atlan
tic and Gulf, and Brunswick and Florida Com*
panics, the Brunswick Herald of the 2d
says:
The majority of our readers will Is? gratified
to learn that the Main Trunk and Brimswiek
and Florida R. R. Companies have al last tome
to an agreement"by' which the latter releasess«n
; much of its exclusive privileges as w ill enable
the former to go into operation. The terms
made are equitable, and we doubt not will be
generally satisfactory. We have reason to
lieve that Mr. Wheeler has all the time been
willing to make the release when it (u>uld be
ne as it now is, with safety to the charter of
tliis Road. The amount received from the
Main Trunk Company paid the debt due Dr,
Collins and thus puts the B. & F. R. R. Co, in
a condition to proceed with its great work nn
embarrass'd by debt, having 32 miles already
ironed, and thirty miles now graded and the
cro>s-tics got out. Mr. Wheeler has aocom
plished so much in the short time he has been
President, that we have no doubt he will be
able to rapidly push the Road on to completion.
THE NEW**CONGRESS
It WSAS AM) THE ADMINISTRATION.
The correspondent of the Baltimore Sun
| says, in a recent letter :
“When the question shall arise, however,
which may involve the Walker Administration
policy —supposing the Administration policy to
( be then w ell defined, and to be identical in re
gard to any vital point w ith the acts of Gover
nor Walker- such a number ofSouthern Dem
ocratic members may secede, as to throw the
Administration into a minority, or entirely do
"troy the harmony of the Democratic majority.
The Northern Democrats, fifty-three in num
ber, w ill find great relief from an unknown fu
ture by following the lead of the Administra
tion, and at the >ame time conforming with the
view suf their constituents. But if the tone
of a portion <»f the Southern press rightly re
lict th ■ -vniiment of a considerable part of
the South, a number of the Southern Democrat
ic members will take a decided stand against a
course of federal action which has tended, as
they think, to make Kansas a Free State. No
. thing is more probable than the appearance in
’ Con_rress of a Southern organization against
t the Administration.” i
